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HimalayaNet #77 (December 2000)Namaste, and welcome to the 77th edition of HimalayaNet, the online newsletter of the Himalayan Explorers Club. This will be my last stint as HimalayaNet Moderator. I've enjoyed working with HEC members and staff -- and have learned so much in the past year. Thanks so much for all your contributions -- and a happy holiday to all!Please send all contributions to himalayanet@egroups.com, and remember to include your membership number if you'd like to post a message. We are also very interested in sharing any travel information or updates you may have received from other HEC members. Kathie A. Mears HimalayaNet Moderator IN THIS ISSUE: 1. THANKS TO KATHIE MEARS FOR MODERATING HIMALAYANET 2. LEGENDARY PILOT EMIL WICK, REMEMBERED 3. GIRL SCOUTS SEEK ASSISTANCE FOR NEPAL TRIP 4. LUKLA AIRSTRIP TO CLOSE IN SPRING 2001 5. ATM MACHINES NOW AVAILABLE IN KATHMANDU 6. INTERNET CALLS NOW AVAILABLE FROM KATHMANDU 7. HEC MEMBERS LOOKING FOR TRAVEL ADVICE/COMPANIONS 7A. MEMBER SEEKS TRAVEL INFO FOR MARCH NEPAL TREK 7B. SEEKING INFO ON DISASTER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS 7C. LOOKING FOR KANGCHENJUNGA TREKKING PARTNER 8. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYANET HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ********************************************************************** 1. THANKS TO KATHIE MEARS FOR MODERATING HIMALAYANET I'd like to thank Kathie Mears for her excellent work over the past year moderating HimalayaNet. Circulation has grown from about 2,000 readers a month to about 3,000 readers, and continues to increase every week. Kathie edited and organized the monthly postings, putting the information together into an informative, easy to read monthly digest. Sheri Robertson, from the HEC Kathmandu Clubhouse, will be the new moderator starting in January. Sheri is married to a Nepali guide, and as an "expat" in Kathmandu can provide readers with the latest news and information from the Himalayan region. Remember that HEC members can post entries by emailing them to himnet@hotmail.com (remember to include your membership number). Nonmembers will continue to receive HimalayaNet, but we remind you that your U.S. tax-deductible membership not only helps us publish this newsletter, but allows us to continue running our homestay, volunteer, and porter clothing bank programs in the Himalayas. Scott Dimetrosky, Director Himalayan Explorers Club ********************************************************************** 2. LEGENDARY PILOT EMIL WICK, REMEMBERED [From Stan Armington in Nepal] Emil Wick, the legendary Pilatus Porter test pilot, died on September 27, 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland. Best known for his outrageous sense of humour, he piloted many climbers into remote mountain airstrips in Nepal. He had the distinction of being one of only two people to descend an 8000 meter peak without climbing it. This was after the crash of the Yeti while delivering supplies to a Dhaulagiri expedition in 1960. Other recent deaths include Passang Kami Sherpa, one of Mountain Travel Nepal's earliest sirdars, also on September 27, 2000. In October the noted photographer Dolf Reist, who climbed Everest with the 1956 Swiss expedition, died of cancer in Interlaken, Switzerland. He was 79. ********************************************************************** 3. GIRL SCOUTS SEEK ASSISTANCE FOR NEPAL TRIP On June 23, 2001 the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Nepal Scouts, will take at least ten U.S. girls ages 15-18 to Kathmandu, Nepal to operate, along with 10 Nepal Girl Scouts, a free 2-week day camp. The 200-250 campers will be underprivileged children from the area of the day camp site, the Laboratory School, built in the 70s with American foreign aid. Permission to use the Laboratory School has been given along with busses for transportation. The U.S. girls have now been selected. In January they will begin a 6-month training program which will include study of Nepal's people, culture, and language as well as preliminary planning for the day camp program. The curriculum for the day camp will include sports and games, arts and crafts, English as a second language taught through games, and other activities recommended by the Nepal Scouts. Various professionals will be training our girls in teaching skills and working with children. All of the girls have substantial experience with children already. All expenses for this program, including airfare, lodging, meals, supplies, etc. total approximately $5,000 per girl. Each girl is being asked to pay half of this sum, while the two U.S. sponsoring organizations are raising the matching funds. A limited amount of financial aid is available to the girls for their portion ($2,500). We do not wish to deny this opportunity to any girl because of financial needs. However, this may happen if the financial aid does not meet the needs of the individual girls. Thus, we are seeking individuals and/or organizations who can help in this regard. We feel strongly that this program will have far-reaching benefits for all involved, not the least of which are the U.S. girls who will travel to a far away country and learn about its people and culture. Their increased sensitivity will be spread to their peers when they return home and share their experiences. Assistance in funding will help to make this possible. Thank you for your consideration. Curtinbarb@aol.com ********************************************************************** 4. LUKLA AIRSTRIP TO CLOSE IN SPRING 2001 [Update from Sheri in the HEC Clubhouse in Kathmandu] Just a reminder to all visitors trying to get to the Solu Khumbu (Everest) Region in the spring of 2001: The Lukla Airport will be closed for construction starting on January 8th and then reopening again on May 1st, 2001. Although all winged aircraft will be forbidden to land on the runway, helicopter landings will still be permitted on nearby helipad grounds. In the past, you could normally fly directly to Lukla to begin a Solu Khumbu trek to popular destinations such as Namche Bazaar, Everest Base Camp (Kala Pattar) and Gokyo, just to name a few. Normally on an average good weather day during the peak season, 10-15 airplanes would land in Lukla carrying 15-16 passengers each. And you ask, "How much does this closure affect a visitor to the Everest Region?" Some, though, not to fret. Because, not only are the flight suspensions a problem for tourists trying get there but it's also problem for the regularly scheduled airlines companies cash flow. So, several airlines have opted to create new routes and/or increase the amount of flights to nearby walking-distance-away airstrips such as Phaphlu, Lamidanda and Rumjatar. And from these airstrips, some airlines are even offering helicopter shuttle flights to the Lukla helipad. I've seen a quote for $150 for a one-way Kathmandu to Lukla trip (airplane flight to other airstrip and then helicopter flight to Lukla). Current roundtrip airfare to Lukla is $182 (via airplane both directions). The other options for getting to the Everest Region are as follows: 1) Bus ride to Jiri (about 10 hours) and then walk 6-7 difficult days to Lukla. 2) Flight to Phaphlu and then walk 3-4 easy days to Lukla. 3) Flight to Lamidanda and then walk 5-6 medium days to Lukla. 4) Flight to Rumjatar and then walk 6-7 medium days to Lukla. Because of the need for getting people to the area as a priority, trekking companies are now forced to porter their gear into this region rather than fly it in. This is a big change for everyone. Check with your trekking company to see which is the best option for you. Please also be patient with the repairs. This closure and upgrade is an important project, keeping us all safe in the future. ********************************************************************** 5. ATM MACHINES NOW AVAILABLE IN KATHMANDU International high-tech automated banking has finally emerged here in Nepal. Visa and Mastercard acceptable Automated Teller Machines have been installed. Actually, the ATM concept is not new here in Nepal. Some of Nepal's banks have already been operating ATM (Any Time Money) machines for a couple years but they give access to local direct bank patrons only, inoperable for most travelers with plastic looking for cash in the Himalayan Kingdom. So, for the past few years, tourists have had to visit one of the Visa, Mastercard or American Express subscribing local banks, fill out required forms and then wait in a sometimes seemingly endless queue to get local currency. But just recently this changed. Nepal Grindley's Bank installed ATM's capable of receiving cash funds in Nepali Rupees from a Visa or Mastercard (including many "debit credit cards" that withdraw funds directly from a savings or checking account). There are more than dozen machines in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara. In the tourist district of Thamel alone, there are at least three machines, including one in the Kathmandu Guest House. Outside of Thamel they're much more scattered. The local Grindley's Bank will not take an ATM usage fee but, most likely, the credit card issuing bank will assess a transaction charge of some sort or another. The exchange rate will also be the standard bank rate, so will be slightly less than the money changers in the carpet shops. I withdrew 7,500 rupees in November on my debit visa card and was charged $102.92 by my bank, or about 72.87 rupees/dollar (not including a $1 transaction fee from my bank). You may want to research your card policy before choosing this quick cash advance ATM option, however, as some credit cards and banks charge hefty fees. ********************************************************************** 6. INTERNET CALLS NOW AVAILABLE FROM KATHMANDU The HEC office in Kathmandu just recently installed a telephone headset to make international calling possible at a greatly reduced price. Instead of paying $3/minute for an out-of-Nepal call (they don't have AT&T, Sprint, MCI or any other calling plans here), members only have to pay, get this... NOTHING! The technology is available via a number of new Internet programs. According to Sheri, our "non-techy" yet friendly staffer in the HEC Clubhouse: "The program translates my voice into some kind of computer language, transmits it up to a satellite visiting the universe somewhere, retranslates it back into my exact words (it even translates my oohs, aahs and haha's ), and then, miraculously, sends my sweet voice (as my Mom calls it) to my Mother's ear, instantaneously. How about that? Cool, hey? Can't beat it!" In reality the connection can vary. Most of the time the connection is suitable, with little static. However, expect a long delay between speakers. This can be remedied by careful pauses to make sure the other person is finished speaking, or by using the somewhat trite "over" when you are finished your thoughts. The delay, however, is no worse than the STD/ISD telephone lines, and at no cost there is no rush to get off the phone. So, anyway... come on it and check it out. And say hello to us too. The phone is available for use during our regular office hours 10:00 am until 5:00 pm seven days a week. ********************************************************************** 7. HEC MEMBERS LOOKING FOR TRAVEL ADVICE/COMPANIONS 7A. MEMBER SEEKS TRAVEL INFO FOR MARCH NEPAL TREK I will be traveling to Nepal in mid-March and was looking for all the info I can get on trekking alone. I would like an individual or group to travel with if possible. I have about 35 days to travel in Nepal and would very much like to summit one of the "trekkable" peaks. I am use to long days and do not need the creature comforts so to speak. Would like to know what routes seem to be the favorites with trekkers such as yourselves. I am a male 46 years of age and in excellent shape for this journey. I hope to hear from one and all. Thanks. Alex J Hasson amed@digisys.net 7B. SEEKING INFO ON DISASTER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS I am a junior political science major at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island (US) designing a summer research project in comparative disaster relief. I was narrowly evacuated from a forest fire in the western United States this past summer, and would like to use that experience as a basis for a comparative study. If possible, I would like to volunteer with an international organization in the Himalayas that does disaster relief and management. Can anyone provide any assistance or leads? Matt Perault Matthew_Perault@brown.edu 7C. LOOKING FOR KANGCHENJUNGA TREKKING PARTNER Looking for anyone interested in exploring the Kangchenjunga region. The trip will be flexible. You are welcome to join for all or part. We will journey up the Lhonak glacier towards Tibet. There will be a chance to bag one or two unexplored +6000 meter peaks. The trip will be from 26 March until 11 May of 2001. Dave Haun dhcave@indy.net ********************************************************************** 8. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION (updated December, 2000) GUIDES ARUN TREKS & EXPEDITIONS specializes in treks, climbs and mountaineering expeditions in the high Himalaya. Top western and local guides. Small groups ensure high quality, superior personal service. Customized itineraries and group discounts available. Please contact us for further information. Phone: (888) 495-8735 aruntrek@onr.com http://www.aruntreks.com Explore Himalaya: Can arrange individual/group holidays to all destinations in Nepal, India, and Tibet. High altitude treks & climbing, mountain biking, and white water rafting. Contact Suman Pandey, PO Box 4902, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: 977-1-252 115 adventur@mos.com.np Join the Himalayan Explorers Club in the Himalayas! Pemba Sherpa leads Everest trek with Island Peak in October 2000 and March 2001, info@hec.org or call (303) 998-0101. All trips also include an excursion "off the beaten path" to Sewangma, where Pemba grew up and the location of the HEC Bridge Project in November 2000. KE Adventure Travel. Unique trekking, climbing, mountain biking, and cultural journeys throughout Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, Bolivia, Peru, Patagonia, Ecuador, Russia, Africa & more! Contact us for a free, color brochure. Phone: (800) 497-9675 ketravel@rof.net http://www.keadventure.com Africa and Himalaya with Daniel Mazur. Shishapangma, Ama Dablam, plus 7000 meter peaks. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya Rock Climb. Low Prices. All Abilities. Phone: (406)363-7747 africa_inc@cybernet1.com, himalaya_inc@cybernet1.com, www.himalayaclimb.com, www.kilitrek.com, www.kenyaclimb.com Discover the Himalaya with local expert Pemba Sherpa. With over 14 years of experience, HEC trip coordinator Pemba and his international guide team offer trekking, climbing, and cultural journeys to Nepal, Tibet, and Ladakh. Proceeds also go to support the HEC school and bridge projects in Nepal. For free brochure contact: SHERPA ASCENT INTERNATIONAL Phone: (888) 568-8924 pemba@sherpaascent.com http://www.sherpaascent.com NEPAL, TIBET, SIKKIM, PAKISTAN, & BHUTAN. Scheduled treks & tours with USA leader of 33 Sierra Club Himalayan trips. From $425. Custom itineraries. Off-the-beaten track areas. Environmentally sensitive and porter friendly. Peter Owens' Asian Treks. Phone: (800)223-1813 or (510)222-5307 petertrek@worldnet.att.net http://www.instantweb.com/p/peterowens World of Wonder Adventures, Inc. - specializing in adventure travel - WOW! Takes you to places you've always wanted to go, to do the things you've always wanted to do, at a price you can afford. Our exciting schedule of upcoming adventures includes Nepal, New Zealand, Baja Mexico, Spain and the Oregon Coast. For more details call toll free: 1-888-4-wow-fun or e-mail us at: wowadventure@earthlink.net http://www.wowadventure.com TRAVEL Himalayan Treasures and Travel. We have seats to Kathmandu all the time. Call us for the best price and best service. We book for many HEC members and give HEC discounts! Call (800) 223-1813 or (510) 222-5307. govindsh@himtrek.com http://www.himalayantrekking.com. Ticket Planet. We are America's leading round the world air consolidator, and also your Nepal airfare experts. We can get seats to Kathmandu when others can't. We broker over 50 airlines. We have over 15 years of experience pricing international airfares. Please contact us at (800) 799-8888, (415) 288-9999, Fax: (415) 288-9839 himalayas@ticketplanet.com http://www.ticketplanet.com ********************************************************************** VOLUNTEER/STUDY ABROAD Volunteer Nepal Himalaya offers participants a unique opportunity to teach English in Sherpa villages in the Himalayas, near Mt. Everest. Accommodations are with local families. While not teaching, participants work on community service projects or explore the endless trails and villages of the Khumbu region. For more information, please contact the Himalayan Explorers Club at info@hec.org or call (303) 998-0101. The Nepal Volunteer Handbook offers potential volunteers everything they will need to know about volunteering in Nepal, including a personal skills assessment, background on the history of foreign assistance in Nepal, tips for ensuring a worthwhile experience, and information on over 50 volunteer leads. Contact the HEC at (303) 998-0101 or info@hec.org The Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) is looking for experienced volunteer English teachers to teach English and educational workshops for sirdars, sherpas, cooks, and kitchen staff. For more information please contact: PT Sherpa"Kerung", Executive Director KEEP tour@keep.wlink.com.np ********************************************************************** HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET To cancel your subscription to HimalayaNet, e-mail a blank message to himalayanet-unsubscribe@egroups.com ********************************************************************** HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET To subscribe to HimalayaNet, e-mail a blank message to himalayanet-subscribe@egroups.com ********************************************************************** HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYANET (1) Send your HimalayaNet postings to himalayanet@egroups.com. Be sure to include your membership number in your E-mail. Only members can post on HimalayaNet. If you've lost your membership card, E-mail the HEC at info@hec.org. (2) Put your E-mail address at the bottom of your posting. (3) Send responses to postings directly to the author at the address listed. (4) If you receive responses to your posting, please send the moderator (himalayanet@egroups.com) a summary if the topic is of general interest so it can be sent it out to all subscribers in the next issue. ********************************************************************** HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION The Himalayan Explorers Club (HEC) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to promote a better understanding of and respect for the environment and culture of the Himalayan Region. Members can receive e-mail, postal mail, and faxes, store luggage, and browse through trip reports at our Clubhouses in Kathmandu and Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition, members receive discounts with many hotels, restaurants, shops, and travel agents. Members also receive our hardcopy newsletter, Himalayan News. For more information about the HEC please visit our Web page at: http://www.hec.org/, or contact us at: Himalayan Explorers Club PO Box 3665 Boulder, CO 80307 Phone: (303)998-0101 Fax: (303)998-1007 info@hec.org |
